Bluetooth in Notebook Computers

Bluetooth is a form of short range wireless that is integrated in some notebooks to communicate with Printers, PDAs, Cell Phones and various other devices. Assume you're purchasing a notebook, what are your thoughts on getting a notebook with integrated Bluetooth?

Bluetooth was introduced about the same time as wireless 802.11b, but the adoption rate has been at a snails pace. Even though Bluetooth has a more consumer friendly name that 802.11b, the average consumer is confused by or unaware of Bluetooths uses. I'll have to say that even though my IBM T40 has integrated Bluetooth, I never use the feature and connect to my printer via a USB cable. Still, if I were to buy a new printer anytime soon (which I'm not) I'd probably look for the Bluetooth feature to be built in.

 

To be quite frank: I really don't care about Bluetooth as it doesn't present any benefits to me personally. Perhaps that will change in the future, but I doubt it.

What do people use it for? PDA's, mice/keyboards, and printers? Seems sort of silly to me since there are other implementions of wireless that work just as well. . .namely 802.11b/g. Or am I missing something special about it?

Sony GRT270-16.1" UXGA; P4 2.8GHz; 1GB RAM; 80GB HD; DVD+-RW; 64MB Geforce 5600; XP Pro

"People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." - Soren Aabye Kierkegaard

 

Yeah, but 802.11 is designed to be a wireless version of ethernet, not a wireless version of USB, as Bluetooth is. If more companies would adopt it, it would be a very useful technology. For example, if I want a wireless keyboard and mouse, I still have to have the receivers plugged into my computer. With built-in Bluetooth, all you do is bring your mouse close to the computer, it is instantly recognized and voila, wireless mouse. Same for your keyboard, camera, PDA, cell phone, printer, scanner, joystick, anything that would support Bluetooth. It's really a cool technology, just not being adpoted very quickly. However, many of the newest cell phones being sold include Bluetooth. And it's appearing in more PDAs. As it appears in more mobile devices, I think it will begin to pick up in computers.

 

I like Bluetooth but have been VERY disappointed in it's roll-out. It just doesn't seem like it's ready for 'prime time'. In my mind, if you're going to release a product, it should be pretty much bug free and work as expected. I've gone through 3 different adapters and have had a variety of issues with all three. The most frustrating thing is that all 3 have required different setup options so it only ends up in more confusion because you never really understand the product. I have found it beneficial, when it works. Bluetooth GPS is alot more friendly and hassle-free than a corded solution. I've installed Bluetooth printing modules on several of my printers at work and it's great to print a document from my laptop and not having to worry about being connected. Even the Bluetooth headsets for phones is a pretty cool idea. BUT, they must refine it before I invest any more money into devices. If I have to set Option 1 to A and Option 2 to B for one BT adapter, I want the same for them all so I can better understand what I'm doing and fix my issues.

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Big Calhoun

 

I use Bluetooth at my desktop with mouse/keyboard. The real power for me is connecting to my BT phone to use it as a modem. Works well with the notebook and the PDA especially.

As for usage, BT is absolutely huge in Europe and Asia. They must have better hardware and software support there becuase it's being very well received.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

Thanks Slat!!

I've also noticed it's pretty big in Europe and Asia. It has to be the level of support because all I see on this side of the pond is end-user frustration. Excellent potential, needs more behind it.

If you want a good BlueTooth related laugh, check out http://www.bluejackq.com . It's a site dedicate to 'BlueJacking', or sending psuedo-anonymous messages to unsuspecting BT users...mostly cell phones. I've yet to 'jack' someone, but some of the stories and accompanying pictures are hillarious!!

 

Bluetooth is now being used in automobiles to use the cell phone with needing to use your hands.

 

At this point in time, I do not have anything that will use BlueTooth. My new VAIO has BT capability but isn't enabled...yet. My next toy will probably be a Pocket PC of some sort, BT will definately be high on the feature list.

David

 

I am only using my bluetooth alongside my mobile phone to transfer pictures and ringtones. It is still a cool little extra to have on your laptop.

Acer Aspire 1681WLMi Owner

 

I would like to buy a bluetooth / WIFI enabled laptop - does anyone have any recommendations as to what would be worth looking at ?

 

When I make my next laptop purchase (soon) I want integrated Bluetooth because I feel that it would be nice to have the ability to throw a mouse alone in my laptop bag. Really the only attraction it has to me is the ability to use a mouse with no chords, or dongles haning off of my laptop.

Dowside is the price of a decent Bluetooth mouse.
I think I will end up with the Logitech MX 900, I will leave the Base station hooked up to my desktop so I can charge my mouse at home when needed, and just pack the mouse into the laptop bag when I go.

 

I am using a Bluetake BT500 bluetooth mouse. It makes traveling a bit easier. No dongle to pack and plug in. I am sure there will be other more worth while uses, coming soon.

Dell Inspiron 8600:
* 1.6 Ghz Pentium M * 1024 MB DDR SDRAM * 60 GB 7200 RPM HDD * 15.4" WSXGA+ * Internal Bluetooth * Intel Pro/Wireless 2200 * 4x CD/DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW) * ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 Pro Turbo 128 MB * Win XP Pro SP2 *

* Apple 17" PowerBook G4 * 14" Toshiba Tecra 8000 * Apple 14" iBook G4 *

 

Don't have it, don't want it, won't get it.

 

I sometimes get the feeling that North America is not as tech savvy as other continents. We are more savings/bargain oriented. I think if bluetooth stuff was cheaper we'd see more popularity.

I like the idea of bluetooth but unless it is supported more, I really can't justify spending the money on it.

 

"Tech-savvy" is a loaded term. Just because a technology exists does not mean everyone in the country should go and buy it. Even for the majority of notebook users, Bluetooth is an unnecessary function, and is notoriously easy to hack into if you are close enough (subway, plane, bus, etc all have people within Bluetooth's 30 foot range). The extra 2 oz for a USB cable is not going to kill me, and they offer a much more secure medium.

 

*bump*
(in the honor of the recent release of Santa Rosa)

 

Thread Necromancer!

I find BlueTooth is useless for me, nothing I own, or intend to own, uses it.

 

Well I don't use the built-in BT. My phone is strictly for txtn and calls. But its nice to have it. My mate had to buy an external for his Toshiba

 

My rig has bluetooth and I use it all the time. My phones, PDA, and GPS are all Bluetooth.

 

I've tried using bluetooth twice, phone to phone to send contact lists to new handsets etc. and it never works!

My laptop doesn't have built in bluetooth. I have no bluetooth devices, I'm perfectly happy using wired stuff as I have it and it works. I'd imagine my next laptop will have bluetooth, but only because it'll be a standard feature and my next machine will be of a higher calibre than this.

 

Did you search for new devices and synch them? I never tried a phone to phone transfer, and I don't know if it is possible actually. You need to have a pin # (which is automatically assigned to each device, although you can change them in some cases) and I don't recall ever having seen one on a cell phone, or the ability to change them on the cell phone. For my phones, I use MotoPhoneTools, which automatically synchs them with my computer. My GPS had a synch code with the package. My headsets have all come with the pin code (0000 in every case) in their respective manual.

 

Synched, pin numbers, everything. The transfer starts then it has some error and doesn't complete.

 

Old topic. No point in discussion anymore. Many, if not most mainstream notebooks now have BT radios in them.